Summary: It Couldn’t be Done
In stanza one and two, the speaker tells us about a person who never gave up a task
without trying. If he was told that something couldn’t be done, he did not rest until he had
tried to do the task. He did not take others’ word for it but was determined to try doing it
himself. He would simply chuckle and get ready to do the task. There would not be any
trace of worry on his face as he would take off his coat and hat and sit down determinedly
to do the task. He would be undeterred by people laughing at him and telling him that he
would not be able to do it as nobody had ever been able to do it. He would sing to himself as
he concentrated on the task at hand and soon the task which everybody had said was too
difficult to be done, would have been done by him. In the third stanza, the tone of the
speaker changes as he directly addresses the reader. It takes on a didactic tone as the
speaker warns the reader that there will be many people who will prophesy failure and tell
them about all the difficulties they would face while trying to do the task, but the reader
should simply set his heart on accomplishing the task and soon it will get done.
The poet uses repetition to reinforce his point of view. The poem highlights the importance
of perseverance, hard work and confidence while trying to accomplish a difficult task. This
refraining line creates rhythm, and emphasises the idea. Though the line varies slightly in
the final stanza, yet it can still be considered as a refrain.
POEM: IT COULDN’T BE DONE
A. 1. ‘He’ chuckled and said that may be it couldn’t be done but he would not accept that and say so till
he himself had tried to do it.
2. In the second stanza, ‘he’ takes off his coat and hat and immediately begins to do the task. Lifting
his chin and with a slight grin, without any doubt or any attempt to avoid it, he begins to sing as
he starts working.
3. In the first stanza, ‘he’ replied to what the others were saying, explaining that he would try before
‘he’ accepted and said that it couldn’t be done. In the second stanza, ‘he’ does not say anything at
all but taking off his coat and hat, ‘he’ simply sets about doing the task.
4. In the first and second stanzas, the speaker tells us about a person who never gives up but goes
about doing his tasks, however difficult, with great grit and determination. The speaker gives
details to show how one should deal with difficult tasks as well as how they should not allow
others to discourage and dissuade them. In the third stanza, the tone of the speaker changes as
the speaker talks directly to the reader. This tone has been adopted to motivate and inspire the
reader, as the speaker tells the reader not to be deterred by people, who discourage and assume
that a task cannot be done, but to simply take up the given task and do it.
5. The phrase ‘you’ll do it’ exudes positivity. The poem ends on a strong note of victory and optimism,
as it talks of achieving success in spite of hindrances.
B. a. The person who was full of determination to complete the task at hand started singing. ‘He’ was
trying to complete the task at hand.
b. These two lines show the attitude that one should adopt while tackling a task. They should
take up the task with the confidence that they will be able to accomplish it. These two lines
are repeated to highlight the fact that difficult tasks need to be dealt with a positive attitude
and soon one will find that a task, which was considered to be too difficult to be accomplished,
would get done.
c. The last two lines of the third stanza address the reader directly. Though there is no fundamental
difference in these two lines with those of the first and second stanzas, they signify an important
change in the speaker’s tone and stance. The last stanza tries to motivate and inspire the reader to
never give up.
C. 1. The theme of the poem is to never give up. If one tries to do a task sincerely and with confidence
and positivity, they will definitely be able to accomplish it.
The speaker’s choice of words and use of repetition help to emphasise the point that one should
not listen to detractors and negative people, but should take up a task with confidence and the
determination to accomplish it. Repetition helps to reinforce the words. It seems to create the
rhythm in which the person, referred to in the first two stanzas, is working.
2. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABABCDCD.
D. Free response
IT COULDN’T BE DONE
A. Answer in brief.
How did ‘he’ handle the task which according to others couldn’t be done? (It Couldn’t be Done)
Ans: He was not affected much when someone said it couldn’t be done. He said he would never
conclude that a task couldn’t be done, without trying. He would just grin and hide his worry and do
the work happily. Once he tried the task with positivity, even the most difficult task became easy for
him.
B. Answer in detail.
How does ‘he’ get the energy required to do the work which is considered difficult? (It Couldn’t be
Done)
Ans: People discouraged him saying that he would never be able to complete the task. Many said
nobody had succeeded in doing that work. He would not bother about such comments. He knows
one cannot follow ones dream if one gets affected by such comments. He is focused and knows his
own worth and puts his mind and heart to it and achieves what he wants to. He gets ready to do
the work with a smile on his face and without any apprehension he sets to complete the work. He is
confident that he is capable of completing the task without much difficulty.
C. Read the lines and answer the questions.
1. So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
a. What would he say to people who said it couldn’t be done?
b. Was he worried?
c. How did he manage his worry?
Ans: a. He would say that it was possible that the task would be difficult but he would not say so
without trying to do that work.
b. When people repeatedly said that it couldn’t be done, he did get affected and was
worried.
c. He controlled his worry first by hiding it and then concentrating on the task without
giving importance to people’s comments.
2. There are thousands to point out to you one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
a. How do people discourage you?
b. What according to them will stop you from doing the work?
c. How should you react to it?
Ans: a. People probably don’t know your capability and keep discouraging you by saying the
task couldn’t be done.
b. They will point out different dangers that would attack you and stop you from working.
c. You should tackle it by just grinning and doing the work with determination and
confidence.
D. Answer in detail. (Think and answer)
What attitude do we need to develop to brave all difficulties and complete a strenuous task with
ease?
Ans: We should develop a positive attitude first to tackle difficulties in life. There may be frequent
disturbances and obstructions to our focus. We should learn to ignore them and move on in life.
We should be in the company of people who have encouraging words to make us do things well and
avoid people who forever dampen our spirits. We must never stop ourselves from doing anything
difficult. Instead we should move ahead with self confidence and positivity.
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